Sheldon, Iowa — The search is underway for a new Chief of Police to replace Chief Lyle Bolkema, who retired from that position in November after 30 years protecting and serving the citizens of Sheldon.
Sheldon City Manager Sam Kooiker says the first round of applications for the Chief’s position are currently underway.
Kooiker says applications will be accepted for about another week. He says the local interviews for the finalists for the position are tentatively scheduled for February 21st and 22nd.
In addition to the search for a new Chief, Kooiker says the City Council has given the go-ahead to begin a search for police officer candidates.
Kooiker says that when he came to town a year ago, 6 of the 7 Sheldon officers employed had joined the force between 1987 and 1995, and since then two of those officers have retired. He says one of the things that has helped take some of the pressure off is the implementation of a Reserve Officer program for the department, or as he say, “the bench.”
In addition to former Chief Bolkema, Officer Scott DeGoei also retired from the Sheldon Police Department in 2019.
